NRL Early Mail Round 18: Brendan Piakura avoids charge for shot on Luke Metcalf, Kelma Tuilagi facing ban for crusher

Brisbane forward Brendan Piakura has avoided charge for an incident in the Broncos’ win over the Warriors which forced star half Luke Metcalf from the field with a suspected ACL tear.

Brisbane can breathe a sigh of relief after Brendan Piakura avoided charge for a baffling incident in Saturday’s win over the Warriors which forced star half Luke Metcalf from the field.

The NRL’s match review committee restored sense after the Broncos forward was placed on report for a big shot on Melcalf which was neither late nor illegal.

However, it did come at a price for the Warriors, who fear a torn ACL injury for the leading Dally M Medal contender in the midst of his breakout season.

Piakura will be free to face the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium on Sunday night.

Meanwhile, Parramatta have taken another hit to their season with in form forward Kelma Tuilagi facing a four-match suspension for a crusher tackle in the 79th minute of Saturday’s loss to St George Illawarra.

Brendan Piakura has escaped a suspension. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

Kelma Tuilagi is facing a big ban for a crusher. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Tuilagi has been charged with a grade two crusher tackle on Eels-bound Dragons veteran Jack de Belin.

Given it’s his second offence, he will miss three games with an early guilty plea, but risks four at the judiciary if he fights the charge.

It comes at a bad time for the Eels who are now sitting 15th on the ladder heading into a bye in round 18, before facing competition heavyweights Penrith, Canberra, Brisbane and Melbourne.

-Pamela Whaley

TIGERS CUBS FACE A MISSION IMPROBABLE IN ROUND 18

Wests Tigers bid to arrest a six-game losing streak is set to become even more difficult with three of their four spine players who played on Friday night set to be unavailable for their next match.

And that does not include co-captain Jarome Luai who missed Friday’s loss to Manly with Luai expected to be again picked for NSW on Sunday night meaning he won’t play for the Tigers against the Roosters next Sunday.

Heath Mason is facing a ban for making contact with the referee. Picture: Getty Images

The Tigers’ woes have been compounded with fullback Heath Mason facing a one game ban even with an early guilty plea for making contact with referee Gerard Sutton. Mason was placed on report after knocking over Sutton in the in-goal while competing for a bouncing ball.

The grade two contrary conduct charge will see him suspended for the Roosters clash. Co-captain Api Koroisau also won’t be able to play because of a concussion forcing a major reshuffle for the struggling Tigers.

The Tigers are also resigned to cutting Tallyn Da Silva loose before Monday’s June 30 deadline. Da Silva started at hooker for the Tigers on Friday night. He met with the Knights on Saturday and will spend the next 48 hours deciding if he will join Newcastle, North Queensland, Manly or Parramatta.

The Tigers pulled hooker Tristan Hope from their NSW Cup squad on Saturday. Hope played his only NRL game in round one.

Tallyn Da Silva is expected to leave the Tigers before the June 30 deadline.

The Tigers new-look spine is expected to feature Hope at dummy half with Adam Doueihi and Latu Fainu in the halves to take on a Roosters side with regular fullback Jahream Bula sidelined for at least another month with a hamstring injury. Luke Laulilii or Charlie Staines are fullback options.

The Roosters will be impacted by Origin but will still have the likes of James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou and Mark Nawaqanitawase. Their forward pack has taken a beating with injuries to Victor Radley and Siua Wong.

-Michael Carayannis, Brent Read

Originally published as NRL Early Mail Round 18: Brendan Piakura avoids charge for shot on Luke Metcalf, Kelma Tuilagi facing ban for crusher